After a game show-esque, much drawn-out selection process on CNN, the lineups are official for the second Democratic debates scheduled for July 30 and 31.
Night one will feature Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. John Delaney (D-MD), former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, self-help author Marianne Williamson, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
This is the first time Warren and Sanders, the field’s progressive stalwarts, will come head to head. The upstarts O’Rourke and Buttigieg, whose campaigns have experienced booms at different times during the race, will also be side by side, a critical moment for O’Rourke to resuscitate and Buttigieg to prevent slippage.
The second night will include Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Washington Govenor Jay Inslee, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang and former HUD Secretary Julian Castro.
The exchange on busing and civil rights between Harris and Biden was the standout moment from the first round of debates — no doubt Harris will try for another viral hit on the current frontrunner.
This round of debates has higher stakes for some of the low-polling candidates, as the DNC is doubling both its polling and fundraising requirements for the next one, meaning that a winnowed field will take the stage next unless some stagnant campaigns can get some traction.
Read TPM’s breakdown of the debate process here.
